Amelia,
Today is Mother's Day here in the UK and you gave me the best present I could ever ask for! In Sacrament meeting today when they called the primary kids up to sing some songs, you weren't quite sure about going up, and to be honest, I didn't think you'd do it. You're only 3 and haven't been in Sunbeams that long, and you're not the most confident kid in the world. But you looked at me and Dad and then hopped off the bench and marched right up to the front with all the other kids. You looked so adorable standing there singing, even though you didn't know the words very well. I almost started crying, I was so proud of you! Dad was about to burst, he was so proud. You looked so comfortable up there and so pretty! I've waited my entire life to have a child of mine sing to me at the front of the chapel and today you made that dream come true.
You also made me a sweet card and you were so excited to give it to me, it was accompanied by a giant hug and a cheerful 'Happy Mother's Day' from you.
I love you so much. The best part about being a mom is being your mom!
Sunday, 10 March 2013
Friday, 1 February 2013
Somebody That I Used to Know
Amelia,
No blog about your life would be complete without talking about your love for the song 'Somebody that I Used to Know' by Goyte. Except you don't call it that, you call it 'dun dun dunDundun' which is the first few bars of the song. And since this is a popular song, there has been many cover versions of it and you can tell each one pretty much just by hearing the first few bars. You stumbled upon the music video while poking around YouTube and that's what got you hooked.
The video is of a seemingly naked guy who as he sings gets painted into the mural behind him. Now everytime you get naked for the bath or your pj's or whatever you always say "I don't want the paint to come on me!" You think that everyone who is naked for a long amount of time gets painted. Poor kid. I hope we haven't damaged you by letting you watch that video (for the record, it only shows his leg and head, nothing else...we're not horrible parents).
Every night you ask Dad and me to tell you a story about when you were a baby. Which we happily do. Also, after dinner you sit on my lap (at the table, while you finish your last few bites) and ask me to tell you a 'Panda Mia' story. Which is basically a recount of that day's events. It always starts the same: "Once upon a time there was a little panda called Mia. One day Mia woke up and said 'is today a school day?" and Mommy Panda said 'yes' (or 'no' depending on the day). And then we talk about the day. It's become the best way to get you to tell us what you do at school...or at least you tell us what Panda Mia did at school. ;)
Dad reminded me that someday I'll really miss you wanting me to tell you stories. You still love to climb up on my lap and you're getting so tall and big, it's not as comfortable for either of us, but you still love it (so do I). It occurred to me last night that all too soon, you won't want to cuddle on my lap with me. I'll be so sad when that day comes. I love our cuddles. You're my special girl and Dad and I are so proud at how big you're getting, but we do still miss our little baby. ;)
You're at school now and I really hope you've had a good day. You're working on writing your name and have been reading the story 'Jack and the Beanstock'. I love how much you love to learn
I pretty much just love you, kiddo!
Mom
No blog about your life would be complete without talking about your love for the song 'Somebody that I Used to Know' by Goyte. Except you don't call it that, you call it 'dun dun dunDundun' which is the first few bars of the song. And since this is a popular song, there has been many cover versions of it and you can tell each one pretty much just by hearing the first few bars. You stumbled upon the music video while poking around YouTube and that's what got you hooked.
The video is of a seemingly naked guy who as he sings gets painted into the mural behind him. Now everytime you get naked for the bath or your pj's or whatever you always say "I don't want the paint to come on me!" You think that everyone who is naked for a long amount of time gets painted. Poor kid. I hope we haven't damaged you by letting you watch that video (for the record, it only shows his leg and head, nothing else...we're not horrible parents).
Every night you ask Dad and me to tell you a story about when you were a baby. Which we happily do. Also, after dinner you sit on my lap (at the table, while you finish your last few bites) and ask me to tell you a 'Panda Mia' story. Which is basically a recount of that day's events. It always starts the same: "Once upon a time there was a little panda called Mia. One day Mia woke up and said 'is today a school day?" and Mommy Panda said 'yes' (or 'no' depending on the day). And then we talk about the day. It's become the best way to get you to tell us what you do at school...or at least you tell us what Panda Mia did at school. ;)
Dad reminded me that someday I'll really miss you wanting me to tell you stories. You still love to climb up on my lap and you're getting so tall and big, it's not as comfortable for either of us, but you still love it (so do I). It occurred to me last night that all too soon, you won't want to cuddle on my lap with me. I'll be so sad when that day comes. I love our cuddles. You're my special girl and Dad and I are so proud at how big you're getting, but we do still miss our little baby. ;)
You're at school now and I really hope you've had a good day. You're working on writing your name and have been reading the story 'Jack and the Beanstock'. I love how much you love to learn
I pretty much just love you, kiddo!
Mom
Thursday, 31 January 2013
Catch up
Oh Amelia,
I have such great intentions on keeping this blog better updated for you. I'm so sorry it isn't what I wanted it to be. You're such a joy in our lives. You're also kind of a pill sometimes, but most of the time you're a joy. ;) You're so funny. You come up with the funniest situations and ideas. Like the other day you came up to me and showed me your hands and said they were called 'ilda' and 'olga' and when 'olga' started tickling you, you came to me laughing, "Mom, olga is tickling me', when it was you doing it to yourself the entire time. Your hands also hit you sometimes and you will come to complain to me about that also.
You're doing so well in school. You still love playing with Oskar and as far as I can tell, he's very nice to you (I can't say that about how he is with all the kids, he's a bit of an alpha male). You still have to sit on your special chair and have one of the teachers read a book with you, but then you're off and playing. You love playing outside (your current favorite games are 'chasing game' and football). We had about a week of snow recently (very rare for London) and you loved bundling up and going outside.
Also, this past Christmas we were able to fly to Utah to see Grandma and Grandpa Kinsel and all your aunts and uncles and cousins! You loved it. You loved playing with your cousins Sarah and Norah and you and Janie even played together a few times. It was so much fun to see you get to know my family and to see them get to know you. You have a very hybrid type of accent and all your American family loved to hear you say certain words. Once we were eating lunch at the bowling alley with Aunt Mak and you saw people bowling and you said 'I want to have a go at that game' which is a very common (yet very British) saying here, your dad and I didn't even notice it, but Aunt Mak thought it was the cutest thing she'd ever heard.
You always tell me things you learned from school (well sort of). I'll hear you sing songs from there and lately you've started singing primary songs. You sound so sweet singing with your little voice.
Speaking of primary, you started Sunbeams and surprisingly (to me anyway) you love it! On the very first day you went in, sat on a chair and said "Just go Mom..." so I went. I couldn't believe you were serious. Usually you're a little more clingy than that. I couldn't believe the girl who was still struggling in Nursery was telling me to go. But you meant it and you haven't looked back. You love the fact that you're in class with Perry, he's one of your very best friends. I'm so proud of you.
You love to draw, the other day you were looking at George the Monkey and noticing things about him and you'd add it to the paper. You'd say 'Mom, George has a curly tail!' and then you'd add a curly tail to the picture. Or hair, or his smile. You're so clever.
I love you so much Mia, you are my light. Dad and I have been trying really, really hard to give you a brother or sister...but unfortunately it hasn't worked. We hate that. But we're so, so grateful to have you in our lives. You bring us so much joy and I hope you know that, even if we're cranky sometimes or we do things you don't agree with. You're so very special to us and we're trying our best to help you grow up to be a good, kind, loving person.
So far, you're right on track!
Love,
Mom
I have such great intentions on keeping this blog better updated for you. I'm so sorry it isn't what I wanted it to be. You're such a joy in our lives. You're also kind of a pill sometimes, but most of the time you're a joy. ;) You're so funny. You come up with the funniest situations and ideas. Like the other day you came up to me and showed me your hands and said they were called 'ilda' and 'olga' and when 'olga' started tickling you, you came to me laughing, "Mom, olga is tickling me', when it was you doing it to yourself the entire time. Your hands also hit you sometimes and you will come to complain to me about that also.
You're doing so well in school. You still love playing with Oskar and as far as I can tell, he's very nice to you (I can't say that about how he is with all the kids, he's a bit of an alpha male). You still have to sit on your special chair and have one of the teachers read a book with you, but then you're off and playing. You love playing outside (your current favorite games are 'chasing game' and football). We had about a week of snow recently (very rare for London) and you loved bundling up and going outside.
Also, this past Christmas we were able to fly to Utah to see Grandma and Grandpa Kinsel and all your aunts and uncles and cousins! You loved it. You loved playing with your cousins Sarah and Norah and you and Janie even played together a few times. It was so much fun to see you get to know my family and to see them get to know you. You have a very hybrid type of accent and all your American family loved to hear you say certain words. Once we were eating lunch at the bowling alley with Aunt Mak and you saw people bowling and you said 'I want to have a go at that game' which is a very common (yet very British) saying here, your dad and I didn't even notice it, but Aunt Mak thought it was the cutest thing she'd ever heard.
You always tell me things you learned from school (well sort of). I'll hear you sing songs from there and lately you've started singing primary songs. You sound so sweet singing with your little voice.
Speaking of primary, you started Sunbeams and surprisingly (to me anyway) you love it! On the very first day you went in, sat on a chair and said "Just go Mom..." so I went. I couldn't believe you were serious. Usually you're a little more clingy than that. I couldn't believe the girl who was still struggling in Nursery was telling me to go. But you meant it and you haven't looked back. You love the fact that you're in class with Perry, he's one of your very best friends. I'm so proud of you.
You love to draw, the other day you were looking at George the Monkey and noticing things about him and you'd add it to the paper. You'd say 'Mom, George has a curly tail!' and then you'd add a curly tail to the picture. Or hair, or his smile. You're so clever.
I love you so much Mia, you are my light. Dad and I have been trying really, really hard to give you a brother or sister...but unfortunately it hasn't worked. We hate that. But we're so, so grateful to have you in our lives. You bring us so much joy and I hope you know that, even if we're cranky sometimes or we do things you don't agree with. You're so very special to us and we're trying our best to help you grow up to be a good, kind, loving person.
So far, you're right on track!
Love,
Mom
Sunday, 14 October 2012
School Time!
Amelia! You're such a big girl now! You started school about a month ago and so far, so good. You struggled a bit at the beginning and even now, when I drop you off you try to decide whether or not you want to cry (you almost always decide not to). You still like to just 'sit on a chair and not play with anyone forever!" and they have a special chair for you to sit on, but the teachers tell me you only last for a few minutes before you're up and playing.
This school (called nursery here, but it's basically pre-school) is great, there is so much for you to do and play with! Every day they have several different tables set up with all sorts of fun things to play with. One might have play doh, another might have paints and paper, another legos, and yet another might have dinosaurs and farm toys. Plus there is a great kitchen area, reading area and entire outside area. You are totally spoiled for choice. Everyday I come to pick you up, you run out to me with a smile and show me the book you picked out for us to read tonight.
School has also given you so much more confidence. You're not scared of other kids and even join in playing with kids you don't know at the park. I'm so happy that you're happy. It was very difficult for me to send you to school. I knew it would be good for you, but you're my baby and I didn't want you to leave me! You and I have spent every day together for your entire life, we had a great rhythm and I so enjoy spending time with you. But you're such a clever girl, I knew you'd love it and it would be the best thing for you...and I was right. I still miss you though!
Let's see...what else is going on? Oh, it's almost Halloween and you're so excited to dress up as Woody from Toy Story. Aunt Cyndi sent you a super cute costume and we got you a cowboy hat. The first time you put everything on you kept saying 'howdy howdy howdy' and 'yeehaw cowboy!'
You still love to sing and I find that you're learning lots of songs, because you come home and sing songs that we've never sung together. You still love to make up your own songs and quite often in the bath or when you're playing on your own you'll sing about what you're doing, it's hilarious. I haven't managed to get it on video yet, but I'll keep trying.
As always, you're our joy and Dad and I love you so, so much. You light up our lives and everyday we thank Heavenly Father for letting us be your parents. We love you!
Love,
Mom
This school (called nursery here, but it's basically pre-school) is great, there is so much for you to do and play with! Every day they have several different tables set up with all sorts of fun things to play with. One might have play doh, another might have paints and paper, another legos, and yet another might have dinosaurs and farm toys. Plus there is a great kitchen area, reading area and entire outside area. You are totally spoiled for choice. Everyday I come to pick you up, you run out to me with a smile and show me the book you picked out for us to read tonight.
School has also given you so much more confidence. You're not scared of other kids and even join in playing with kids you don't know at the park. I'm so happy that you're happy. It was very difficult for me to send you to school. I knew it would be good for you, but you're my baby and I didn't want you to leave me! You and I have spent every day together for your entire life, we had a great rhythm and I so enjoy spending time with you. But you're such a clever girl, I knew you'd love it and it would be the best thing for you...and I was right. I still miss you though!
Let's see...what else is going on? Oh, it's almost Halloween and you're so excited to dress up as Woody from Toy Story. Aunt Cyndi sent you a super cute costume and we got you a cowboy hat. The first time you put everything on you kept saying 'howdy howdy howdy' and 'yeehaw cowboy!'
You still love to sing and I find that you're learning lots of songs, because you come home and sing songs that we've never sung together. You still love to make up your own songs and quite often in the bath or when you're playing on your own you'll sing about what you're doing, it's hilarious. I haven't managed to get it on video yet, but I'll keep trying.
As always, you're our joy and Dad and I love you so, so much. You light up our lives and everyday we thank Heavenly Father for letting us be your parents. We love you!
Love,
Mom
Tuesday, 7 August 2012
Olympic Fever!
We are smack in the middle of the Olympics! We love living here in London and experiencing the atmosphere that can only come from an event like the Olympics. We've also been lucky enough to be able to attend a few of the events. You've come with us to three different events and you have been such a trooper. Dad and I are so proud of you!
Yesterday we went to the Olympic Park and women's field hockey. You made everyone around us laugh by yelling out 'You can do it!' 'Come on, go!' You also serenaded the players with a very enthusiastic rendition of Old MacDonald had a farm. You are such a crack up. Yesterday we also went to watch women's football (soccer), we saw Japan v France in the semi final match. You were awesome there as well. You loved looking at all the people in Wembley and cheering on the teams. We have so many fun pictures of you at all the events. I hope you remember at least a bit of it!
Some other miscellaneous things you've been doing lately...
George the Monkey is your absolute favorite friend. He's the only stuffed 'friend' that gets the privilege of sleeping with you in your bed. And he's never called just 'George', it's always 'George the Monkey'. You love him so much. The other night at dinner, he was sitting on your chair with you and Dad asked if you'd like to say the prayer. You replied that George the Monkey wanted to pray. Dad and I agreed (thinking you'd just say the prayer) and Dad started helping you pray. It went something like this:
Dad: Thank you for this day
You: Hoo hah hah hoo hah (monkey talk)
Dad: Thank you for the food
You: Hoo hoo hah hoo hah
It continued like that the entire prayer! You were speaking 'monkey' for George the Monkey. It was all we could do to keep from laughing. I wish I could say that this only happened once, but nope, George regularly helps us pray!
It's also so much fun to see/hear you play with your toys. When you do the 'voice' of a character that has a deeper voice, you talk in this funny gravely voice. It's hilarious.
You still love to pretend to be various animals. You're often a monkey (which is when you'll only say 'hoo hah'), a baby panda (which is a high pitched voice), a baby bird (squeaks), a little mouse (more squeaks) and a dog (called Grommit from Wallace and Gromit). You still love Mr. Bean, Mickey Mouse and of course Curious George.
You still love to sing and your new favorite song to play on the iPod is 'Somebody that I used to know' by Goyte. It's so funny that that is the song you've latched on to. You also love "Do they know it's Christmas" by the Bare Naked Ladies and 'Life's a Happy Song' from the newest Muppet movie. So at the very least you have eclectic tastes!
You're continually a joy for us Mia, and Dad and I still comment to each other how much we love you, how much you make us laugh and what a funny kid you are. Every night I thank Heavenly Father for trusting me to be your mom and for blessing me with such a beautiful, kind and funny daughter.
Love,
Mom
Wednesday, 30 May 2012
Wet Ball!
Amelia: Mommy, my ball is wet!
Me: Wet? Is it from your juice? (she'd spilled some earlier and I thought maybe I'd missed wiping part of it up).
Amelia: No, it's from my mouth.
Good to know kiddo!
Thursday, 10 May 2012
This and That
Amelia...you have just been so hilarious lately. I'm so loving spending time with you and being your mom. You are super cute. You love to sing and make up some great songs. And you're starting to use such big words! The other day when Dad and I were still in bed, you came into the room, and we said 'Do you want to climb up and cuddle with us in bed?" and you listed off a variety of things you needed to do, which included breakfast, playing with 'George the Monkey', playing on 'Big Pod', playing Happyland and you concluded all of this by saying 'I'm just too busy." I know it might not sound as funny on paper, but it was hilarious.
We've been working on potty training you. You'll do almost anything for chocolate chips, but you also have the option of collecting stickers and when you get 10, you get a doughnut (one of your current favorite treats). It's slow going. But you're getting better at telling us when you have to go potty.
You've also been doing so well at nursery in church, the last few weeks you haven't even cried. And all the workers say you're such a good example for the younger kids. And you especially love snack time.
You're still pretty shy around other kids, you still prefer grown ups. You're super polite and always say 'Yes please' and 'No thank you'. It's super cute.
You and Daddy make up such fun games. Your current favorites are 'Cuddle Now' which involves Dad chasing you around the house saying that in a funny voice. You also play 'Eagle duck' which is a puppet of an eagle that grandpa sent you, Eagle Duck involves Dad chasing you with the puppet on his hand. Sensing a trend here? You love being chased. You ask me to chase you several times a day. You also love being tickled. You're such a happy girl, always ready for a laugh.
You're also growing up so quickly! You've gotten so tall! I was just noticing the other day that you're becoming all legs. And your hair has such a cute curl to it, you truly are a gorgeous girl. But more important than that, you're clever and you're a hard worker. You love to help clean and do laundry.
Another fun phrase you're saying now, is when you are kind of upset you'll look at me (or Dad) and say 'DON'T YOU EVER!!!' But you never complete the sentence (Like don't you ever take my toys etc). It's become kind of a joke now, but we still haven't figured out where you picked that up. You also love saying 'Go Abadas!' when you're excited about something. Abadas is a show on Cbeebies, but you hardly watch it. So I'm not sure why you picked it up as your catch phrase.
Today it started raining after quiet time. So we put on your wellie boots, grabbed our umbrellas and headed out to splash in 'muddy puddles' you love doing that. We just walked around our neighborhood for about an hour, jumping in puddles and getting wet. You loved it. You always love any chance you can get to splash around.
You've been so great about going to bed lately. You don't even like me to cuddle you much anymore. Which does make me a little sad, that was our time to catch up and talk about the day. But I'm glad you don't cry when I leave you. And as much as you love playing with Daddy, you still only want Mom to put you to bed. Sometimes I love that. Sometimes I'd love for you to let Dad do it.
You're such a joy Amelia. I can't believe you're going to be 3 soon. When we ask you what you want for your birthday dinner, you've only said 'apples and oranges', hopefully you give us more to go on! You also still love Mr. Bean and wanted a 'Bean' party. Thankfully you've changed your mind and now want a Postman Pat party. That is much more doable! We are going to have a gathering in the park like last year with all your friends, hopefully you'll play with some of them.
Love you baby panda!
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